, "after what happened last night, I do not
think you will be surprised to hear that I feel I cannot stay
any longer under your roof. I have tried to be friends with you,
but you would not have it so, and now it has become quite
impossible for me to go on. I am leaving for town by the first
train I can catch. I am going to work for my living, and some
day I shall hope to make good to you all that I know you have
spent on my comfort.

"Please do not imagine I am going in anger. I blame myself more
than I blame you. I never ought to have married you, knowing
that I did not love you in the ordinary way. But this is the
only course open to me now. So good-bye!

"Doris."

Jeff Ironside looked up from the letter, and out across the grey
meadows. His face was pale, the square jaw absolutely rigid; but there
was no anger in his eyes, only the iron of an implacable determination.
For several seconds he watched the feathery snowflakes drifting over the
fields; then, with absolute steadiness, he returned both letter and ring
to the envelope, placed them in his pocket, and, turning, left the room.

Granny Grimshaw met him at the foot of the stairs. "Oh, Master Jeff,"
she said, "I am that worried. We can't find Mrs. Ironside."

Jeff paused an instant and turned his grim face to her. "It's all right,
Granny. I know where she is," he said. "Keep the breakfast hot!"

And with that he was gone.

He drove out of the yard a few minutes later in his dog-cart, muffled in
a great coat with the collar up to his ears.

At the station, Doris sat huddled in a corner of the little waiting-room
counting the dreary minutes as she waited for her train. No one beside
herself was going by it.

She had walked across the fields, and had made a _detour_ to leave a
note at the Manor for Hugh. She could not leave Hugh in ignorance of her
action.

She glanced nervously at the watch on her wrist. Yes, Jeff probably knew
by this time. How was he taking it? Was he very angry? But surely even
he must see how impossible he had made her life with him.

Restlessly she arose and went to the window. It had begun to snow in
earnest. The road was all blurred and grey with the falling flakes. She
shivered again. Her feet were like ice. Very oddly her thoughts turned
to that day in September when Jeff had knelt before her and drawn off
her muddy boots before the great open fire. A great